As summer is nearing the end and fall schedules are settling into a routine, the time has come to kick off a new season. We are nine months into 2015, and remember back to January when those New Year’s resolutions were made?? Have you made progress towards them? Well, it isn’t too late to make strides towards achieving your goals if you have fallen short. It’s time to make a change instead of making excuses!! Here are 3 simple steps to making your goals achievable.

Step 1 – Write your goal on paper and make it visible to you daily.
It’s easy to forget your goals if they aren’t clearly written out. You also need to make a plan of how to get there. The goal is nothing without a plan of action attached. It’s easy to say “I’m going to make smarter food choices” or “I am going to lose 20 pounds” but you must come up with a game plan to make those things happen. For example, “I’m going to make smarter food choices by keeping a food journal and tracking everything I eat…if I don’t want to log it, I will not consume it.” Place your goal somewhere that you will see it every day as a reminder.

Step 2 – Tell someone else your goal.
Accountability is key when you are working towards a goal. Tell a spouse or close friend what your plan of action is and keep them informed on a regular basis on your status. Ask them to hold you accountable to your goals and have them ask YOU the tough questions. We aren’t perfect, and we will have slip ups, but the important thing is getting back on track when that happens!

Step 3 – Take action.
Schedule these items that you have set out for yourself to take place. There will always be something that will fill your time. It’s “OK” to do something for YOU. Life is busy and will only get busier if we allow it to. The most difficult step is to make the initial change. Once you have incorporated these actions into your daily life, the easier it becomes to maintain over time. Just remember to make yourself a priority and take care of yourself!